Marrs, 60, passed away late Friday night after "a brief illness," according to his obituary.

The organizations that Marrs lobbied for at Jefferson City included the city of Springfield, the Greene County Commission, Bass Pro Shops, Mercy Hospital, Missouri State University, Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, Jordan Valley Community Healthcare, Reliant Healthcare, Tri-State Water Coalition the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and more.

McClure first worked alongside Marrs in Jefferson City more than 35 years ago. McClure said they would meet regularly to have coffee or lunch and chat about local and state politics.

Marrs' institutional knowledge of legislative issues made him a respected and well-known figure.

"When he would speak, people would listen to him," McClure said. "They might agree, they might disagree, but they respected him."

Marrs was working "literally until the end," McClure said. Their last conversation was by phone, early last week, or late the week before, the mayor said. They discussed a planned retreat for council members about the city's legislative priorities.

"The community has lost a very, very strong and credible and respected voice for Springfield," McClure said.

Mike Peters, vice president of government relations at Mercy, said Marrs was a business partner and "very close friend."

"Scott has a great sense of humor," Peters said. "He was friendly, he was open."

Peters said lawmakers and their staff would often go to Marrs to learn about the bills and issues.

"Scott was friends with everyone in Jefferson City. It didn't matter the party affiliation. He could work both sides of the aisle equally well," Peters said.

"People don't always have the highest regard for that term (lobbyists)," Peters said. "I think Scott was the exception to that characterization. He was a decent man and worked very hard for the people he represented and he did a good job doing that."

"A great diplomat" is how City spokeswoman Cora Scott described Marrs.

"He always had an eye and focus on the common good," Scott said. "...I think he really listened to everyone's points of view and he was a collaborator."

Marrs was a "straight-shooter" and had a calming personality, she said.

"No matter how tense things might be in Jefferson City or in the city's relationships with other governments, he always maintained perspective and was just always in a good mood when I saw him," Scott said.

Ryan DeBoef, chief of staff for MSU, said Marrs would make it a point to befriend the people he represented.

DeBoef said Marrs was a "fun-loving guy" and hard worker.

"For Scott, no issue was too big, no amount of work was too much. He would just charge in," he said.

Jim Anderson, who works at CoxHealth and is the former president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, had been friends with Marrs for more than 40 years.

Marrs, known as "Scotty" by his friends, was a practical joker with a unique laugh, Anderson said.

"He is going to be missed by so many people. He's one of a kind," Anderson said. "Everyone who he came into contact with had tremendous respect and admiration for him."

Marrs is survived by his wife of 37 years, Brigitte, his daughter Katharine, his son William, his mother Barbara Bullington, his brother David Marrs, his sister Julie Hendrickson, his step-brother Stan Bullington and his half-sister Michelle Cannon.

Scott Marrs and his family.(Photo: Submitted)

Marrs' daughter, Katharine, said Marrs loved Springfield.

Growing up, she said, Marrs would travel to Jefferson City every week during the legislative session.

Without fail, he would make it home for dinner on Thursday nights, Katharine Marrs said.

"His priorities were his family," Katharine Marrs said. "We were very close, and it was just the four of us."

Marrs routinely worked 80 hours a week or more, she said.

"He still found time to go to church and be with his family. I honestly don't know how he had the stamina," she said.

Marrs studied at Drury University for his undergraduate degree. He got a master's in Public Administration from the University of Missouri and remained an avid Mizzou football fan for the rest of his life, according to Katharine Marrs.

Marrs felt the happiest, his daughter said, when he was enjoying Ozarks nature with his family. They went on float trips three or four times a year. Marrs was an Eagle Scout and led his son's Boy Scout troop.

He worked with the city of Springfield and other legislative partners to pass dozens of bills. Katharine Marrs said was especially passionate about helping move projects, such as Wonders of Wildlife, Jordan Valley Park, Hammons Field, the Expo Center, Jordan Valley Community Health Center and the revitalization of downtown, forward.

"He was beloved," Katharin Marrs said. "...He brightened people's days and he was a very affable, lovable person. He went out of his way to make people feel very seen and very loved."

A memorial service for Marrs is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, the Ozark Trails Council of Boys Scouts of America and the National Park Service.